The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-04-17
GERMANY ON HER GUARD.
RIGID RESTRICTIONS THE RULE IN
THE REICHSLAND.

Industrial! Regulations to be Revised
by the Government-The Pope Orders
the Priesthood to Maintain Strict
Neutrality Most of the Mayors in
Alsace and Lorraine French Sympa-
thizers.
copyrighted by the Ne,c York associated Press
BERLIN, April 16.--Tho BandeSausschuss
held probably its final meeting under the
present constitution at StraSburg on Thurs
day last In the course of the sitting Herr
Gradt, Protester member, asked Herr Put
kamer whether the government meant to in
terfere with the industrial laws in the
Reichsland. Herr Putkamer replied
that industrial regulations were contem-
plated. Herr Gradt responded that such a
measure would be punishment for the feel
ing against the government shown by the
people of Alsace and Lorraine during the
last election. In reply to this charge Herr
Putkamer said: 1.-THE government aims only
to secure order and peace in the country
An imperial decree closed the session after
all the bills were voted, except the proposeI
new law relative to pensions for Reichsland
officials.
THE PRIESTHooD'S NEUTRALITY.
The Pope has instructed the Bishops of
Strasburg and Metz to direct the clergy of
their dioceses to take no part in the anti
German agitation, and to abstain from fos-
tering the sentiments displayed during the
recent election for members of the Reichstag.
This act of friendly neutrality is recognized
in Berlin official circles as a proof of the
earnest desire of the Vatican not to conflict
with Germany. Many priests in Alsace and
Lorraine ardently melted the French sym
pathies of the people, and assisted the cleo
toral successes of the Rrotesters.
LEANING OF THE MAYORS.
The Cologne Gazette states that the gov
eminent has obtained data showing that the
greater number of the Mayors i'll AlSace and
Lorraine belong to the ProteSter party A
bill will be submitted to the Reichstag abol-
ishing the French law still existing i'll those
provinces and obliging the government to
select the Mayors from the municipal coun-
ellis. and giving the government absolute
choice of the Mayors.
A decree affecting Frenchmen travel
ing in Alsace and Lorraine has been
enforced since Monday The decree does
not apply to Frenchmen who were sOiourn-
ing in the provinces before the edict was
issued. According to its terms the Mayors
arc ordered to instantly inform the central
authorities of any French arrivals in their
communes without passes. Commercial
travellers who are once provided with
permit will be allowed to go where they
please throughout the provinces. The
Alsace and Lorraine police have been in
structed to apply the decree mildly for some
time to come
sTRAsBUEG's PRoTEsTERs.
Herr Staehling, banker Of Strasburg,
has declined to be the Protester candidate
for the Reichstag to succeed Herr Kable.
Judge Frosch, a notary and vehement Pro
tester, is the candidate.
During the Easter vacation the tomb of
Kable in Strasburg was the scene of
demonstration by the Centre party. Depu-
tations of municipal officers, electoral COM
mittees and numerous societies separately
visited the grave and covered it with
wreaths AS there was no great crowd and
no disorder the police did not interfere.
T4xATIoN REFORM BILLS.
The taxation reform bills were only sent
to the Bundesrath to-day. The budget esti-
mate of the spirit duty for the current year
is that it will yield 3S,O00,0O0 marks. Ten
years ago it was 30, 100000 marks. On sugar
the duty this. year is 100000 marks,
whereas the duty year ago on it was As,
100000 marks. Though it is thus made evil
dent that fiscal reforms are necessary, any
proposals that the government may make
are certain to arouse sectional opposition.
The Conservatives are privately urging
Prince Bismarck to respond TO the impend-
ing Russian customs edicts affecting German
traders by retaliation in the form of an in
crease in the duties on Russian corn. The
other groups in the Reichstag have no SYM
patty with this movement without raising
the worst forms of party passion, and it is
not likely to result in sound practical legs-
lation.
THE ECCLESIASTICAL BILL.
The position of the parties on the ecclesi-
astical bill when it comes before the Ober-
haus Monday points to the acceptance by
the Centre of the bill as it left the Oberhaus,
but their absolute refusal to accept the bill
is certain if any of Bishop Kopps amend
at Munich has again been the medium to in
form Herr Windthorst, Count Ballestram
and other clericals of the policy of
the Vatican The Centreists are left full
liberty to urge the insertion of amendments
to the ecclesiastical bill, which were rejected
by Bishop Kopp in the Oberhaus, but are
recommended not To compromise the accord
between the curia and the government by
refusing the bill il the amendments are
again rejected.
SCLLEN SUBMISSION.
The instructions sent to Bishops to use
their influence to maintain entente cOrdiate
between the Centreists and state were re-
ceived with sullen submission.
The Vatican is again agitated by reports
that Herr Windthorst desires to resign his
position as leader of the cericals and to
forego politics altogether. 1t is certain that
Herr Windthorst has informed Bishop Kopp
of his strong dislike to his position.
Communications published in clerical pa
pers express the undated reliance of the
Vatican in the Centre party as a vigilant
eaptftaa1 controlling and O1IQrdinO the avp-
cution of the agreement between the church
and Prussia.
THE NEW ATTITUDE.
For time the Centre party must hold
itself in an expectant attitude and abstain
from its former tactics of wagng an unceas-
ing battle against the State, and must vote
for the bill and await turn in the orders Of
the Vatican. The national press asks if this
can mean permanent peace.